Best Fish Tapes

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Are you looking for a new fish tape?

In the electrical profession, fish tapes are a must-have item. They make it possible to pull wire through walls, ceilings, and floors without cutting holes or creating their own path.

The best fish tapes should be lightweight, with a smooth draw and a sturdy, impact-resistant case. 

On the other hand, a shoddy fish tape is constructed of flimsy plastic and is hard to pull in and out.

So, to assist you in distinguishing between the good and the bad, we’ve put up a roundup of the seven best fish tapes in 2021. 

You can buy with confidence, knowing you’re getting one of the best fish tapes available.

Let’s get into the reviews right away!

1.
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Southwire 58280140 1/8 in. 50 ft. Flat Steel Fish Tape
  • Southwire‚Äôs 1/8""-wide tempered spring steel Fish tapes provide excellent fishing performance and are the perfect addition to your other electrical tools
  • EASIER PULLING: High quality steel for longer life and easier pulling
  • LONG LASTING DURABILITY: High impact case and carrying handle ensures it will be durable enough for the worksite
  • EFFICIENT DESIGN: The fish tape conveniently unwinds and rewinds easily for fast and efficient storage
  • EASY UNWINDS AND REWINDS: To pay out the fish tape; pull on the actual fish tape itself (gloves are recommended) To reel it back in; rotate the case in reverse while holding the handleBETTER ACCURACY: laser-etched footage marking in 12 inch increments provide instant conduit length
2.
Fish Tape Wire Puller Through Wall Wire Threader Fish plus Fish Cable Fastener with Steel rope (40ft)
  • ⭐【Perfect Flexibility and Rigidity】Unlike fiberglass wire, it will not break if you bend too much, unlike other steel fish tape, it will not curl a lot. Our Plastic-Coated Steel Fish Tape has strong traction, good flexibility, Anti-aging and high temperature.
3.
Fish tape Wire Puller 100ft - Easy to use Cable Puller Tool with Double Loop Tip - Flexible Wire Fishing Tools for Walls and Electrical Conduit - 1/8 Steel Fish Tape Durable Housing - RamPro
  • Firm but flexible steel fish tape is handy for pulling large wires. It is otherwise difficult to do.
  • This wire fishing tool will last a long time. It is hard and can withstand a lot of abuse from daily use.
  • Get a Grip! Improved Comfort Grip Handle and built-in Thumb Lock on our 1/8'' x 100-foot fish tape makes pulling electrical or communication wires easy without getting tangled up!
  • Headache-Free Interior & Exterior wire snake for running wire through Ceilings, Walls/Drywall, Conduit, Insulation, etc...
  • A Must-Have wire puller For Electricians, Contractors, and DIYs! Don't work without it!
4.
11' Fiberglass Running Wire Cable Coaxial Electrical Fish Tape Pull Push Kit
  • For running wire through walls, attics, crawl spaces, sub-floors and suspended ceilings Great for installing cable
  • Includes (1.1FT) 10 rods with threaded brass connectors, 3/16" flexible acrylic connection, brass push and pull rods
  • Rods connect for extension up to 11FT.
  • Comes with plastic storage case
  • Fiberglass rod diameter is 3/16"
5.
Gardner Bender EFT-15 Mini Cable Snake, 15 Ft Steel Fish Tape, Electrical Wire Fishing Tape, Red & Black
  • Compact, rugged design can be easily carried and stored
  • 15 foot flat steel wire tape fishes under carpets, down walls and over ceilings
  • Low-memory tape does not curl during extension - perfect for non-conduit situations
  • Durable. High-impact housing resists breaking
6.
FTS1/8-25 Flat Steel Fish Tape; 1/8-Inch Wide; 25-Feet
  • FUNCTIONALITY: Our 1/8-Inch wide tempered spring steel fish tapes provide excellent fishing performance The rugged case is impact resistant and jobsite tough
  • DURABLE DESIGN: The flat fish tape is made from high quality blued steel for longer life and easier pulling
  • ERGONOMICS: The fish tape reel is constructed from a high impact case and convenient carrying handle
  • EASY TO USE: The flat steel fish tape neatly unwinds and rewinds with ease
  • CONVENIENT DESIGN: Laser etched in 12-Inch increments to provide instant conduit lengthNOTE: To pay out the fish tape; pull on the actual fish tape itself (gloves are recommended) To reel it back in; rotate the case in reverse while holding the handle The rotating case should not be used to pay out the fish tape; doing so could result in a jam
7.
SWANLAKE 11' Fiberglass Running Wire Cable Coaxial Electrical Fish Tape Pull Push Glow Rods kit
  • 1. This 11'fiberglass running wire cable electrical fish tape kit is made of fiberglass material, includes 10 rods (3/16" diameter) with threaded brass connectors, Magnetic connector,3/16" acrylic connection, brass push and pull rods.
  • 2.Use for running wire through walls, attics, crawl spaces, sub-floors and suspended ceilings, Great for installing cable,wires,HDMI and so on .
  • 3.This fish tape kit is flexibility(don't over force), rigidity and great insulation, wear-resistant,corrosion-resistant and oxidation resistance,The extension rods can be connected together to achieve the required length, extending up to 11 feet.
  • 4.The bright green fish tape helps u locate and differentiate the rods from wires easily.
  • 5.The pacakge comes with a plastic storage case ,its convenient to store.

Buying The Best Fish Tape

The finest fish tape should be durable, easy to insert and remove, portable, and come with an impact-resistant case. These are the major factors we considered while determining the best tape available.

There’s no reason to deal with shoddy fish tape when there are so many high-quality solutions available. However, they can be difficult to come by, which is where we come in.

We review the seven best fish tape brands of 2021 in our quest to find the perfect pair of electrical fish tape. If you follow our advice, you can get a good deal on a good reel of fish tape.

Still not sure what to get? Don’t worry! Check out the buyer’s FAQs below to make sure you are getting the best fish tape for your needs. 

Fish Tape’s Frequently Asked Questions 

Steel or fiberglass fish tape: which is better?

Steel fish tapes and fiberglass fish tapes are two of the most effective choices on the market. Both of these solutions, on the other hand, have their own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Steel fish tapes, for example, are known for their improved tensile strength and heavy-duty. You can utilize the product without difficulty in difficult settings. Wire fishing tools are ideal for dealing with empty conduits when there are no existing wires to contend with. If there are many wires in the conduit, using steel fish tape may make things more difficult.

Meanwhile, fiberglass fish tape is known for being non-conductive. It implies you don’t have to be concerned about any potential electrical hazards. It’s also worth noting that fiberglass fish tapes are more pliable. As a result, these tapes could easily pass through the conduits.

What is the purpose of the fish tape?

Fish tapes can be used to smooth the cables via an electrical conduit, as we described in the introduction. Since you do not have complete control over the procedure, it usually takes a long time. The method becomes streamlined when the different portions of the fish tape are attached at both ends.

A fish tape enables you to finish the process by simply pulling the fish tape after both ends are firmly secured. You can pick between 50m and 100m long fish tapes, depending on your needs. Other factors to consider include the housing’s tensile strength and usefulness.

Is there anything else I can utilize instead of fish tape?

As previously stated, a fish tape can be used to smooth out cable routing. If you don’t have access to this handy device, there are a few alternatives to consider. Here are some of the possibilities available to you, but you’ll have to give up a lot of control and freedom.

A measuring tape is among the most useful tools available. Most electricians, moreover, would have this equipment in their toolboxes. Because this wire is so long, it’s simple to connect the ends to the electrical lines and finish the task.

Other materials like plastic tubing and stiff cables can also be used. Regardless of which choice you choose, you will have to make some compromises in terms of usability. As a result, you should apply the proper adhesive. Due to these difficulties, we recommend obtaining a fish tape if you can afford one. You won’t be disappointed with your decision.

When the fish tape becomes stuck, what do you do?

It might be aggravating to have the fish tape trapped on the pipe. It could be caused by issues with the fish tape or conduit. However, there are a number of choices available to you for resolving the matter.

The first approach involves flipping the fish tape around a few times, as you might expect. It will free the tape from its stuck position, allowing you to move it around easily. You can also use something else to get the fish tape out of its stuck position. It might work if it gets trapped closer to one of the ends.

Conclusion:

An excellent fish tape will make your task a whole lot easier. A bad one can be a pain to work with because it’s challenging to pull in & out, the metal is thin and wears out quickly, or it just doesn’t feel right in your hand when you grip the reel tightly. But Southwire has created an incredible product that solves all of these issues at once: their new 1/8-inch tempered spring steel fish tape won’t wear out as you wind (and unwind) through flooring layers; it provides even tension for easy pulling action, and it feels sturdy enough not to slip from between fingers while gripping firmly on both handles. There are no justifications for not purchasing this fantastic tool!

During a pull, laser-etched footage markings in 12-inch intervals make determining the conduit length incredibly simple. The fish tape itself is available in five different lengths, ranging from 25 to 240 feet.

I was disappointed when I went to buy fish tape and discovered that the one size wasn’t large enough. This is, in my opinion, a complete rip-off! That’s why I’m glad Southwire offers five various wire lengths; there’s a better possibility that my ideal length will be available – so go ahead and order without fear!

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